News

Luke's First International F-35

12/22/2014

AFA Caption

BodyText

A Royal Australian
Air Force F-35 Lightning II touched down at Luke AFB, Ariz., becoming the first
international F-35 partner to join the pilot training schoolhouse there on Dec.
18. "Today, we take another
tremendous step forward in our transition to the F-35 here at Luke," said
56th Fighter Wing Commander Brig.
Gen. Scott Pleus in a release. "Australia
is the first of 10 nations. …Welcoming our first Australian F-35 is a special
day for Luke and the community that has been so supportive of us, he added.
RAAF F-35 pilots will train with the wing's 61st
Fighter Squadron, as well as Italian and Norwegian F-35 pilots whom are
slated to begin training under the auspices of Luke's future 62nd FS by next
June, according to the wing. Dutch and Turkish F-35 partners also will
eventually train at Luke, in addition to current and potential foreign military
sales customers.